by Sapan Bhatt
 
I can’t think of a better race to start the year than the January Thaw. Coming off the holidays it’s a great opportunity to come together and see faces both new and familiar. 
 
This year's edition saw 22-degree crisp air and roads which were a bit slushy in spots. It’s fun to scroll back through old Thaw photos and see it’s truly a roll of the dice what type of weather we get. But that keeps it interesting.
 
Start of the 4.5-mile race, you’re working to catch your breath in the cold. I found the strip of asphalt in the middle to be the most stable. I took the liberty of going a little bit into the road on the first climb. I received a supportive honk from a plow truck and was amused at the sight he was about to see of a herd of runners coming up the hill.

The road in mile 2 has a camber that would make Sugarloaf blush. The bit of downhill was a welcome reprieve from the initial climb. Mile 3 is always the trickiest. It’s a steady climb instead of one big hill to punch up. I kept looking at my feet as Billy and I slogged through it. 
 
The next thing I knew, I saw Lindsay shouting encouragement and directing the turn down that big hill to start Mile 4. The slush made the road a bit more precarious than years past, but offered a fun ride. My favorite view on the course was where Alicia was perched taking our great race photos. That sweeping view of the horizon before you make the last turn back into the school road, amazes me every time. It was especially pretty this year with the wind whipping snow into the air.
 
The after event was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed getting photos with Ian and his penguin suit and chatting with fellow racers. Many thanks to all the volunteers, our race director Ron, volunteer coordinator Tom, and especially Julie for crafting such beautiful penguin trophies. Here’s to a great year of running for all!

Congratulations to Sapan Bhatt (25:17) and Lindsay Theis (30:17), our top men's and women's finishers at today's  January Thaw 4.5-mile road race. (Lindsay is also our new club Vice President!) Thirty-three runners turned out to race in Belgrade in the 46th edition of the annual January Thaw. The race also kicked off the club's 50th anniversary year in 2025.

Thanks to all the racers, volunteers, and spectators who made this event a success, as well as Race Director Ron Peck and Central Maine Striders club president Martha Nadeau for their organization and leadership of this historic race.

January Thaw Road Race - January 26, 2020 - 4.5 miles - Belgrade, Maine

Run, walk, waddle, or race and join Central Maine Striders for an invigorating run at the 39th annual 4.5-mile January Thaw Road Race. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, January 21, at 11 a.m. at the Belgrade Central School.

The top female and male runners will receive $50 gift certificates each from New Balance. There also will be a post-race raffle for all runners with movie passes to local movie theaters, $20 gift certificates from local businesses like the Korner Store and Deli in Oakland, and gift certificates from local lumberyards. All runners get lightweight cotton gloves.

Refreshments will be served after the race in the Belgrade Central School cafeteria and will include oranges, bananas, hot chili, dark chocolate brownies, and Poland Spring water.

In the case of severe weather, the race will be held on Sunday, January 28, instead.

Registration:

• Race fee: $10 on the day of the race (please make out checks to Central Maine Striders)
• Registration will be held at Belgrade Central School (158 Depot Road, Belgrade) starting at 9 a.m. on race day
• Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/events/693862517488903/

​

2017 January Thaw Race Results

38th January Thaw Road Race
January 15, 2017, 10 a.m.
4.5 miles
Belgrade Central School
Central Maine Striders
 
1. Ron Peck                             28:24
2. Jack Babin                           31:16
3. Peter Wirth                         32:02
4. Gust Stringos                     35:07
5. Richard Beaudoin             35:18
6. Julie Millard                        35:43*
7. Harold Shaw                       35:58
8. Susan brooks                      36:09*
9. Alicia MacLeay                    36:27*
10. Jeff Preble                          37:55
11. Richard Bissett                  38:03
12. Tammy Moulton               38:33*
13. Chad Tracy                        39:42
14. Shara Marquis                  39:52*
15. Lori Kaley                            42:04*
16. Dave Samuelian                46:52
17. Joe Phelan                           48:14
18. David Benn                         48:16
19. Casey Beaudoin                 49:54*
20. Tom McGuire                      50:07
21. Donnejean Puhlman          50:11*
22. Jim Moore                            52:36
23. Ron Paquette                      53:09
 
See more race day pictures, courtesy of David Colby Young and Maine Running Photos:

• Flickr
• Facebook​

After 10 consecutive years of Saturday dates, the January Thaw switches back to a Sunday for this longtime Central Maine Striders race.